there's a wiki with family trees. really helpful for understanding the dynamics (just be careful not to read the spoilers). from people I've talked to who read the books, the series is not disappointing in the least. helps that martin started off as a screenwright.

The books are really fantastic and the 5th book comes out sometime this year.. in July I think. He hasn't released a book in like 6 years or something so I was thinking about re-reading them all before that. I've been kinda busy lately so we'll see if I can make the time. :(

Having Martin involved seems to have ensured the series follows the books almost exactly. Obviously, as with any book-to-movie title, the book has room for far more information and is by far the better option.

Didnt' watch last night's episode yet - not that it matters much since as the story unfolds I have been easily able to recall the whole thing despite reading it almost a decade ago. (perhaps it is more than a decade . . . don't really want to think about that too hard. lol)

But that fact alone makes me realize how well written the series is. It's not often that even the small details remain after that long. It's only the best stuff that sticks that well.

Fan-*******-tastic show. Easily my favorite show in the last few years.

Im in the process of reading the book as a result of this show, and I'm actually glad to have seen most of it first. I think its a rare case of it being a good thing to see the show before reading the source material. And I only say that because, as of now, the show has been extremely faithful to the book. And because of that, because they dont take completely different directions with it (so far), Im greatly enjoying all of the extra little details to things that Ive seen on screen, rather than being peeved about the show leaving things out, which is likely what id feel if Id have read the book before seeing the show.

Really glad to see that you guys are liking this show. I had been waiting for it to come out for a while but at the same time was worried that it would ruin the books for me. Glad they kept close to the books with a few minor discrepancies.

I thought it was interesting that they chose to so blatantly show that Renly and Loras were *** together. The book never outright said they were but always slightly hinted it as a possibility.

Love it. Always wanted to read the books but never found the time. Still gonna read the books at some point but the show has been fantastic thus far and have no reason to believe it wont continue to be. Sunday nights on HBO are fuckn epic.

One of the folks I know who is a avid reader and was a huge fan of the books is only slightly disappointed with the show. His beef is with the role the wolves have played in the series thus far compared to their importance in the book series. I have to agree with him on Ep. 6. There was no reason for the two wolves to not be out there with them. That's the first big change from the book (mostly happened because they didn't want to pay for the CGI).

It has one of the greatest opening credits sequences ever. Love the map. Its like an elder scrolls game opening on crack with a happy ending thrown in for free.

I haven't read any of the books yet. I'll probably blow through them after the season is over. I love how all the hot chicks get naked. Some of the episodes get kinda dense with lore, but they at least reward the viewers' persistence with nudity and blood.

I almost regret watching Episode 7. Now I have to wait nearly 2 weeks for the next episode. I already know what happens and yet I am still worried about what happens next. They are doing great with this show.